“At the same time, there is no guarantee that a retrial will be carried out in compliance with international standards or result in the full acquittal on all charges that Fahmy deserves. It may also take several months to complete.”

She went on: “Mr Fahmy is a Canadian national who was subjected to the same unfair trial process as Mr Greste.

“Mr Fahmy was told by high-level Egyptian officials that, as a dual Egyptian-Canadian national, he must give up his Egyptian citizenship to guarantee a transfer.

“He had no choice but to do so. Then, just days ago, his counsel and the Canadian government were informed that his release was imminent. There is no impediment to his immediate transfer to Canada and (Canadian) prime minister (Stephen) Harper should personally intervene to ensure that the promise that was made by the Egyptian government to his government, and to its citizen, is now honoured.”